Actor and Massapequa native Alec Baldwin has sent a letter urging officials in Oyster Bay to block an attempt by SeaQuest to open a new location at the Westfield Sunrise mall, citing the long history of animal-neglect allegations — as well as enforcement actions taken by a state finance department, a state wildlife agency, a state agriculture department, and local code enforcement — associated with SeaQuest’s owner, Vince Covino, or his other aquariums.
“The owner of this sleazy chain, Vince Covino, has not only flouted the law nearly everywhere he goes but also left untold animal suffering in his wake,” writes Baldwin. “I urge you to deny the permit application that would allow Vince Covino to bring his cruel and deadly operation to our lovely hamlet.”
PETA notes that SeaQuest’s history of animal mistreatment includes an instance at the Colorado location when, in an apparent effort to circumvent permit requirements, the company reportedly gave 80 birds to a teenage employee who later gave them away for free in a Lowe’s parking lot.
